A merchant is a person who trades in commodities produced by other people to earn a profit. Merchants can be retailers, wholesalers, or agents who buy goods from producers and sell them to customers. They can also act as middlemen between buyers and sellers, providing services such as transportation, warehousing, and financing. Merchants often specialize in certain types of goods or services and have extensive knowledge of their markets. In today's global economy, merchants play an important role in connecting producers with customers around the world.